APP vs. CIEN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APP and CIEN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | APP | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AppLovin Corporation | Ciena Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Communications Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 152.44 billion USD | 12.83 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 15, 2021 | February 7, 1997 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APP and CIEN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 9.23% | 2.22% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 28.23% | 13.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -8.80% | 4.24% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 406.38% | 67.11% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 15.35% | -2.26% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 39.17% | 6.99% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.90M | 1.68M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.02M | 1.97M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 57.14% | 40.69% |
| Beta | 2.48 | 1.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
APP
257.74%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
APP’s Return on Equity of 257.74% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
CIEN
3.72%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 32.05%
- Q3
- 19.58%
- Median
- 11.77%
- Q1
- 2.23%
- Min
- -11.93%
CIEN’s Return on Equity of 3.72% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
APP
45.72%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 45.72% places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
CIEN
2.46%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 14.32%
- Median
- 5.31%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- -12.72%
CIEN’s Net Profit Margin of 2.46% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
APP
52.02%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 52.02% places APP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
CIEN
4.67%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 42.27%
- Q3
- 18.90%
- Median
- 6.21%
- Q1
- 2.97%
- Min
- -20.72%
CIEN’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.67% is around the midpoint for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 257.74% | 3.72% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 42.29% | 1.87% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.72% | 2.46% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.02% | 4.67% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 80.87% | 41.94% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
APP
2.74
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
APP’s Current Ratio of 2.74 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
CIEN
3.40
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.93
CIEN’s Current Ratio of 3.40 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
APP
3.01
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.01, APP operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Software industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
CIEN
0.55
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.55
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
CIEN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.55 is typical for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
APP
6.44
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
APP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
CIEN
3.66
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 181.73
- Q3
- 113.63
- Median
- 7.59
- Q1
- 3.82
- Min
- -5.39
In the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, CIEN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.66 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.74 | 3.40 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.54 | 2.27 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.01 | 0.55 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.44 | 3.66 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
APP
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APP currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CIEN
0.00%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 2.75%
- Median
- 0.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CIEN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
APP
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APP has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CIEN
0.00%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 55.91%
- Median
- 28.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CIEN has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
APP
57.41
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
APP’s P/E Ratio of 57.41 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
CIEN
118.08
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 57.30
- Q3
- 47.92
- Median
- 27.50
- Q1
- 17.89
- Min
- 13.89
At 118.08, CIEN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
APP
26.25
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
With a P/S Ratio of 26.25, APP trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
CIEN
2.91
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.03
- Q3
- 5.53
- Median
- 2.20
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.40
CIEN’s P/S Ratio of 2.91 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
APP
101.50
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
At 101.50, APP’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
CIEN
3.73
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 9.66
- Q3
- 5.60
- Median
- 3.73
- Q1
- 2.67
- Min
- 0.30
CIEN’s P/B Ratio of 3.73 is within the conventional range for the Communications Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APP | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 57.41 | 118.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 26.25 | 2.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 101.50 | 3.73 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 48.18 | 26.32 |